What's going on with lithium-ion & grid storage?

The buzzy startup raised a record $ 110M back in 2019 to transform grid storage with novel long-duration tech, but now it’s embracing industry favorite lithium-ion.

What is a battery energy storage system?

( Source) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) uses specifically built batteries to store electric charge that can be used later. A massive amount of research has resulted in battery advancements, transforming the notion of a BESS into a commercial reality.

What is the largest lithium-ion battery installation in the world?

One example is the Hornsdale Power Reserve, a 100 MW/129 MWh lithium-ion battery installation, the largest lithium-ion BESS in the world, which has been in operation in South Australia since December 2017. The Hornsdale Power Reserve provides two distinct services: 1) energy arbitrage; and 2) contingency spinning reserve.

What is the market for grid-scale battery storage?

The current market for grid-scale battery storage in the United States and globally is dominated by lithium-ion chemistries (Figure 1).

How long does a battery storage system last?

For example, a battery with 1 MW of power capacity and 4 MWh of usable energy capacity will have a storage duration of four hours. Cycle life/lifetime is the amount of time or cycles a battery storage system can provide regular charging and discharging before failure or significant degradation.

What are the benefits of battery storage systems?

Energy purchased during off-peak hours can be stored using battery storage systems. It can be activated to distribute electricity when tariffs are at their highest, lowering energy expenses. Battery storage systems can also be set up as an uninterrupted power source, which is a useful insurance policy for enterprises.